Validating farmers' indigenous social networks for local seed supply in central rift valley of Ethiopia

Abstract

The information on farmers' indigenous social networks in local seed systems is based on a case study undertaken in the central rift valley of Ethiopia. Farmers' indigenous social networks (social relation, locally developed seed exchange methods and local institutions) are presented as leverage mechanisms for the survival of local seed systems. A farmer decision to acquire seeds is discussed as an act of making a choice between whether to obtain a new germplasm/maintain old ones (genetic diversity management) or a search for renewable physical input (seed) or to take advantage of each merit in specific situations. This clearly underscores the need to value the individual merit of a seed before putting in place any type of variety selection, seed multiplication or extension programs. Analysis of the case study leads to the conclusion that the government imposed extension program should focus on institutional transformation of farmers' indigenous social networks in order to validate the complementary role of local seed systems in the development of a national seed industry.